Loosening Rusted Threads

Use ratchet straps any time it is hard to get a pipe joint turning.

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While working on a galvanized-steel waste pipe, my helper and I couldn’t budge the rusted old threads. Faced with cutting the pipe, I sent my helper to the truck for a small nylon ratchet strap. With two pipe wrenches hanging on the pipe at about 90° to one another, I slipped the hooks on the strap into the eyes on the ends of the pipewrench handles and tensioned the strap with the ratchet. The tension generated by the ratchet slowly pulled the wrenches together and got the old joint loose enough that we could turn it the rest of the way by hand. Since then, the guys who work for me have started using ratchet straps any time it is hard to get a pipe joint turning.

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